A 120Hz or 165Hz label can make a TV look ready for gaming, but the number alone does not tell you what your PS5 or PC will display. For the best TV refresh rate for gaming, check the native panel rate, the resolution each HDMI input accepts, and whether your console or graphics card can use the mode.
A PS5 player needs a TV that accepts 120Hz output and games that offer a matching mode. A PC player may benefit from higher rates, but only when the graphics hardware, cable and TV all support the same signal.
Refresh rate vs frame rate
Refresh rate is how often a display updates each second. A 60Hz screen refreshes up to 60 times a second, and a 120Hz screen up to 120 times.
Frame rate is different. It is how many frames the game produces each second. A 120Hz TV cannot turn a 30fps game into a 120fps one.
Look for the panel’s native refresh rate in the specifications. Terms such as “motion rate” or “smooth motion” can describe processing or a marketing measure rather than the physical panel. Our 60Hz vs 120Hz explainer covers the same basic distinction for phones, though a TV adds HDMI compatibility on top.
What PS5 players should check
Sony’s PS5 support page describes a 120Hz output setting for TVs and games that support a 120Hz frame rate. That does not mean every game runs at 120fps, or that every TV input accepts 4K at 120Hz. Details of the current signal appear on the console under Settings, Screen and Video, then Video Output, as Sony explains.
Check the exact TV model’s specification sheet for 4K 120Hz input support. Some TVs reserve their best gaming modes for particular HDMI ports. If you use a soundbar or receiver, confirm its video pass-through supports the same settings, or connect the console straight to the TV.
Use a suitable Ultra High Speed HDMI cable. A cable, adapter or receiver in the chain can block the signal even when the TV and console both support it.
What changes for PC gaming
A gaming PC can offer rates above 120Hz, but the graphics card, its output, the cable and the TV must all support the chosen resolution and refresh rate. Check the GPU’s specifications and the TV’s supported input modes, then pick the rate in the computer’s display settings.
Some combinations of resolution, refresh rate, HDR and colour settings need more bandwidth than a connection can carry. Check the device specifications instead of assuming every advertised feature works at once. A faster screen also does not mean the PC can render the game at that frame rate.
VRR, ALLM and HDMI 2.1: read the details
Variable refresh rate (VRR) lets a compatible display match its refresh timing to the console’s changing output. Sony describes it for HDMI 2.1 VRR-compatible TVs and PC monitors, and says results can differ by display and game. Check the TV’s supported VRR range, not just a badge.
Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) is a separate feature. It can switch a compatible TV into a low-latency game mode, and it is not the same as VRR. A fast response-time claim also says little about input lag.
“HDMI 2.1” is useful but not a full feature list. Confirm 4K 120Hz, VRR, ALLM and the number of suitable ports on the model you plan to buy.
| What to check | PS5 | PC |
|---|---|---|
| Native panel rate | Needs 120Hz for 120Hz output | Higher rates possible if the TV supports them |
| Resolution and rate per HDMI port | 4K at 120Hz on the port you use | Depends on the GPU output and cable |
| VRR | HDMI 2.1 VRR on a compatible TV | Depends on the TV and graphics card |
| Game support | Each game must offer a 120Hz mode | Each game and its settings decide the frame rate |
| Cable and receiver | Ultra High Speed cable, pass-through if used | Same, and check bandwidth for HDR and colour |
A Philippine example: LG OLED C6
LG Philippines lists the 77-inch OLED77C6PSA with a 120Hz native refresh rate and VRR up to 165Hz. Four HDMI inputs are listed with 4K 120Hz, VRR and ALLM support, among other features, on the LG Philippines product page. LG adds that the 165Hz mode works only with games or PC inputs that support it.
So the higher figure matters for a compatible PC setup, while a PS5 buyer should focus on the console’s 120Hz output and the games they play. Check the exact size and local model before buying, because other sizes may differ. You can also read our LG OLED evo AI C6 specifications.
These are manufacturer specifications, not results from a TechPipino hands-on test.
A checklist before you buy
- Confirm the exact Philippine model and its native panel refresh rate.
- Find the resolution and refresh rate each HDMI port accepts.
- Check that the TV and your PS5 or PC support the same VRR standard and range.
- Make sure your cable and any receiver can carry the signal.
- Check the console, PC and game settings needed to enable the mode.
- Count how many high-bandwidth ports remain after you connect a soundbar and other gear.
- Ask the seller for warranty and return terms, and verify the local specification sheet.
Frequently asked questions
Can a PS5 use a 144Hz or 165Hz TV?
Yes, if the TV accepts a signal the console can output. A higher-rated TV does not raise the PS5’s 120Hz output to 144Hz or 165Hz.
Does HDMI 2.1 always mean 4K 120Hz gaming?
No. An HDMI version label alone does not confirm every resolution, refresh rate or optional gaming feature on a given port. Check the specification for the exact model.
Is a 60Hz TV still enough for gaming?
It can be, if your games run at 60fps or below and price, picture quality and size matter more to you. A 120Hz setup helps only when the whole chain and the game can use it.
Takeaway
Buy for the games and hardware you actually use. For a PS5, verify 4K 120Hz and compatible VRR if those features matter to you. For a PC, check the supported high-refresh mode at your intended resolution. The best specification is the one your whole setup can use.
